In 2010, Philip Nadeau worked as Senior Interior Designer / FF&E Design Manager with KEO International Consultants Doha (Qatar) on the alite special edition.

1. How do you start your working day?
Since my wife has to leave for work first, I have the job of getting my 4-year-old up, dressed and off to school. My start to the work day usually involves long dialogues regarding Scarlett's pink and purple clothing choices, some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on TV and pop tarts. Although I still manage to whizz up my regular breakfast of a fruit laden protein shake.

2. What makes a working day successful for you?
Currently I am working on a large beach villa renovation. The design has an exciting contemporary concept. My day is successful when the client and I can see that we are one step closer to the finished liveable product.

3. What do you do for lunch?
I usually take the leftovers from my daughter’s lunch the day before! Although we are fortunate enough to have many fantastic restaurants and cafés here in Grand Cayman, so getting good food in good surroundings is easy.

4. What do you love most about your job or your workplace?
I live and work in Grand Cayman, a small Caribbean island. A truly tropical island paradise. I see blue sky and turquoise waters on my commute to the office and job sites. While the islands have no doubt been hit by the world-wide economic decline, I am fortunate enough to have some unique upscale projects in hand.

5. What kind of people from which professions do you talk to every day during your work time?
I am constantly getting in touch with suppliers of fixtures and finishes overseas. Being on a small island away from main market places makes things more difficult. They need to make an extra effort to keep us updated on the latest products. I also speak often to mechanical, electrical and structural engineers. I love to discuss solutions to infrustructure problems with them and I am continually learning.

6. If you had one wish: what would you change about your workplace?
I would love to have a sea view from my office!

7. Your working day is long and demanding. Where do you find the motivation to go to the office every day?
I love design so love what I do. Plus every day is different and the variety of types and sizes of projects I get to work on means that I am continually challenged.

8. What projects have you worked on in connection with Brunner?
While at KEO in Qatar, I was part of the team with Qatar Petroleum and Qatar Foundation to manage the furniture specifications for the Qatar National Convention Centre. 11,000 chairs were required for the exhibition halls. The Brunner alite chair caught our eye but we preferred to have a few modifications. After months of comments, recommendations, samples and meetings, a final product emerged from the Brunner factory.
The team was impressed with Brunner's determination to provide a product that met all of the technical and aesthetic requirements that the client demanded.

9. If there is something that gets you angry during your work day – what makes you happy again?
Coming home to my little girl!

10. Is there a ritual with which you end your working day?
No. Unfortunately, my working day does not end at the office. I continue to work and think about projects during the evening and into the night ... there seems to never be an end to my days.